An Engagement Ring for Christmas – Part One
Eva and Jason were in the throes of a whirlwind courtship. They met in July, quickly fell in love, and before Eva had the chance to catch her breath, Jason proposed—in October, three months after they met. It was Christmas Eve and they were at her parent’s home for dinner.
Out of the corner of her eye, Eva saw Jason slowly push back his chair and bend to one knee. Her eyes grew huge and a warm wash came over her. At the sound of his voice, Eva turned to face him. Her Mom, Dad, and siblings were all smiles, because they knew what was happening. Tears filled Eva’s eyes. In his sonorous voice, that deep one that she loved to hear so much, he said, taking her hand, “Eva, I love you. From the day we met, I knew you were the one. Would you do me the honor of marrying me? I want to protect you and keep you safe. I want to honor you and spend the rest of our lives together.” He slid the ring up to her knuckle awaiting her response. Eva wiped the tears from her eyes and shook her head in the affirmative. She was ecstatic but ignored the sense of unease she felt. Jason was perfect for her, wasn’t he?
One-week post-proposal.
“Eva, honey, I know you said you wanted a long engagement, but…”
Eva held her hand out admiring her ring. Thinking about how wonderful this man was and how much she was looking forward sharing her life with him. “Jayce, I still feel the same way.”
“What difference does it make if we get married a year or one month from now. We know we’re going to get married.”
He must really be ready to start our lives together. “True, I just think we need to spend more time getting to know each other better, first.”
“Awh girl, I know all I need to know about you.” He smiled. “Let’s see, you are beautiful. Your eyes are light brown. Your smile makes me feel woozy inside. Your favorite color is jade. You should own your own restaurant; everything you cook so good. You’re my genius—I.Q. 140. You are caring. Want me to go on?”
Eva smiled. She loved that Jason was so perceptive and the way he always commented on just about everything she did. They agreed on almost everything. “Well, since you asked. I have a question.”
“Okay.”
“I’m contemplating starting a business?”
“Sounds great! I know you can do anything.”
“It would mean that I’m working my regular job and dedicating a large amount of time after that to the start up. I wouldn’t have a lot of time to spend with you at the beginning of our marriage if we were to get married sooner than if we waited.”
“I make enough for us to live off one check. Go ahead and quit so you can fully commit to the business, I know you can succeed at anything you do. I support your decisions. Oh yeah, when can we go get our phone plans combined? I’ll pay the bill.”
“Let me think on it. How do you feel about my having my own bank account?”
“As long as the bills are paid and we have savings, we should each have money to spend the way we want to.”
“You know that I tithe out of every check, and speaking of that, why haven’t you gone to church with me more?”
“You’re right. I see how into that you are and if we’re going to get married, we do need to be on the same page.”
Eva was pleased.
The following week.
Eva and Jason were at her best friend Jessica’s house watching movies and eating popcorn. Brian, Jessica’s husband was listening carefully to the conversation.
“Well, Jason. I heard you and my girl are taking the plunge!”
Eva showed off her ring.
“Your girl!?”
“Yeah, Eva is like a sister to me.”
“Oh. Yeah, well, I finally met my Mrs. Right. Her ring set me back a pretty penny, but she’s worth it. “Hey man, you got any beer?”
Eva playfully nudged Jason in the side and said, “Brian, he’s just playing. He doesn’t drink beer.”
“Good,” Brian said, ‘cause we don’t either.
They were sitting at the dinner table shooting the breeze when Brian stood and began clearing the dinner dishes. “Hey, man, grab a few of these dishes and meet me in the kitchen. It’s my turn to do the dishes.”
“Uh, no thanks.”
Awkward moment.
Jessica said, “why not Jason? You don’t like dishpan hands?”
“Well, I was raised that the woman handles the kitchen duties.”
“Hmm.” Eva thought as she mentally tucked that little piece of information away.
“Let’s play cards,” Jessica said. I want my baby as my partner.”
“No problem,” Eva said. We got this.
The next day.
“Jason, now that we’re engaged, when do I get to meet your family?”
“Eva, soon. I told you they are always traveling. I barely see them myself. But I got the house all to myself, wanna come over? I’ll be nice.”
Eva didn’t think she heard that right. “Jason, really? I thought you told me that you had your own place.”
“Well, I used to. I didn’t want to tell you. But two days ago, I temporarily, moved with my parents because…because I got fired. I’m looking for a new job.
Eva was shocked but wanted to show how understanding she could be. In a nondescript voice she asked, “What happened?”
“They were always sweating me to produce more and more.” He stood and began to pace. “Bring in more and more clients, they kept saying. Then they said I took too many days off. No worries, I’ll have a better job in no time. I have responsibilities that I’m getting ready to take on.”
“Sooo, when were you going to tell me you lost your apartment and your job? Do you have any money saved?”
“Um, yeah. Well, I did, but I had to help out my cousin.”
“Oh, no.” She hugged him. “You could take the ring back if you’re short on money. I don’t need a ring as long as I’ve got you.” When she got no response, she figured he was embarrassed. “Jason?”
“I love you Eva. Are you sure about the ring, though? I couldn’t do that to you. I’ll figure something out. No worries.”
“I’m sure, Jayce.”
“That’s my baby. I knew I chose the right one. I’ll be there in an hour.
One week later
“Eva, what happened to your ring?”
Embarrassed, Eva involuntarily felt for her ring. “Oh, Jess, I’m having it cleaned. What do you think about this dress?”
“Okay. So, has Jason been keeping his word and attending church with you?”
“Well…yah.”
“Unconvincing, Eva. What’s really going on?”
Stay-Tuned for Part 2! How do you see this scenario playing out?
Can you locate all of the Red Flags?
Yvonne Cole
The calling out (to cry unto, speaking aloud) of His name brings enormous victory! So, the next time you are caught in the midst of fear, anger, grief, etc. call out and depend on the name that is guaranteed to make demons tremble! The name that is above all names! Which of the names below will you call out to in your time of need or when you want to praise Him?
Everything that happens in our lives, God sees. No one can hide from Him. He sees the good and the bad, the ugly and the indifferent. He sees injustice and is a JUST God. Recompense is His. He rights wrongs, just ask Moses when Pharaoh and his army chased the Israelites to the Red Sea. God saw what was happening to His people. When Pharaoh heard that the Israelites were fleeing, he decided to gather an army of more than 600 people and go after Moses, Aaron and all the Israelites. The Israelites were afraid and when they complained Moses said… 
Heading into the Christmas (Christ More) season can be extremely hard on someone experiencing domestic violence. I mean, commercials express perfect happy families blissfully smiling as they sit around the beautifully color-coordinated Christmas tree. Office parties gear up and on your desk in a greeting card envelope, you’re dreading opening, sits the invitation for your annual Christmas party, calling loudly “hey, over here, open me.” Glancing through the Christmas cards at the store you come across one where a happy couple holding hands is walking through the snow all bundled together in their winter parkas…looking so in love.
Lord, I exalt You! I honor You! I give You praise! Please forgive me for my sins of omission and commission. Thank You for being a lamp onto my feet and a light unto my path. As you already know I need you! O God do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. HELP me, Lord! Your word says, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment I shall condemn. Lead me, guide me, along the way. For if You lead me, I cannot stray. Your word says, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. I pray this prayer believing, receiving, and with expectation, in Jesus’ name. Amen
This true story is shared with permission. It chronicles the life of a young lady who had no idea she was experiencing domestic violence, let alone how insidiously the effects would affect every future decision she would make. Having witnessed domestic violence from her family of origin, she thought that all families had visits from the police daily. She thought shouting and chaos and not feeling safe was normal. She thought that all parents used broken bottles to defend themselves. When she’d frequently see one parent standing at the front door to their home, spread-eagled in front of the door preventing the other from leaving the house, she thought that there had to be a logical reason. As her body grew physically and she emotionally matured abnormally, she found that this behavior was not normal. Was it too late for her?
Have y
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!”
When life is chaotic and out of control, we have a tendency to hold on to areas of our life that are detrimental to our well-being. We hold onto:
When someone has sinned against us, we must choose our response carefully. We may hear various voices from church leadership claiming to know what we should do. Forgive and forget are often the words they choose to say followed by a forceful push toward reconciliation.
